Teen-age sex offender able to stay in school despite protests

Published: Friday, November 13, 1998

ALVIN (AP) - Alvin school officials say they have no choice but to allow a 16-year-old convicted sex offender to remain enrolled at the local high school, despite criticism from the mother of one of the boy's victims.

The woman, who was not identified, told The Facts newspaper she was forced to transfer her daughter to a private school because the boy was allowed to re-enroll at Alvin High.

Alvin school Superintendent Virgil Tiemann said state law required him to allow the teen to return to the general school population after he served out a one-year term at an alternative school for students with disciplinary problems.

"The law is very clear here," Tiemann said in Thursday editions of The Facts, a daily newspaper in Brazoria County. "This particular incident, the student served out the term as assigned by the school district. He's met those (requirements) and was rightfully returned to the school."

A year ago, the boy pleaded guilty to the juvenile equivalent of three sexual abuse charges for having sexual contact with three girls, ages 10-15, during a six-month period in early 1997.

Brazoria County Juvenile Justice Director Fred Williamson said the boyeni was sentenced to two years' probation and registered with the state as a sex offender.

Attention returned to the case this week after the mother of one victim sent a letter to reporters decrying the fact that the offender is enrolled at Alvin High.